The Justice League has taken another tumble at the Box Office this weekend, as it was knocked off the top spot by Disney Pixar animation.
Photo – Actor Jonathan Groff Meets Olaf at Walt Disney World Resort
Actor and singer Jonathan Groff, the voice of Kristoff from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen,” gives Olaf a warm hug Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The lovable snowman and his pals star in “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” an all-new holiday featurette from Walt Disney Animation Studios debuting in theaters for a limited time with Disney/Pixar’s “Coco,” November 22. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Atlanta Braves Training Returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
The Atlanta Braves will return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort for Spring Training from February 26-March 24, 2018.
Guests can enjoy the thrill of Major League Baseball combined with a family friendly Disney atmosphere as they watch the Braves take on the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and more.
Spring training game tickets go on sale Dec. 11 at www.espnwwos.com/braves, through Ticketmaster outlets 800-745-3000 and at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office.
14 Great Disney and Pixar Movies on Netflix
Until Disney launches its own streaming service near the end of 2019, a selection of animated and live-action films will continue to have a home on Netflix.
Disneyland Resort Celebrates Lunar New Year with God of Good Fortune Goofy and Pluto, Jan. 26 to Feb. 18, 2018
Disneyland Resort will bring its biggest Lunar New Year celebration yet to Disney California Adventure Park, Friday, Jan. 26 to Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. To commemorate the Year of the Dog, guests will experience more Lunar New Year fun than ever before as the celebration expands to 24 days full of multicultural performances, fun-filled activities, beautiful décor, delicious cuisine and themed merchandise to celebrate the start of a new year.
Guests at the Lunar New Year festivities will discover plenty of Disney magic as they experience Asian culture through inspired food, music and entertainment with their family and friends. Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, commemorates the moment when both the sun and the moon begin their journey for another year. Highlights of the Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure will include:
- God of Good Fortune Goofy and Pluto greet guests at the Disneyland Resort Lunar New Year celebration, along with pals Mickey, Minnie, Mulan and Mushu, all dressed in their Lunar New Year attire
- “Hurry Home—Lunar New Year Celebration,” the heartwarming nighttime water show at Paradise Bay prior to “World of Color” which tells the tale of a little lantern’s quest to reunite with family for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune
- “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” a magical celebration hosted by Mulan and Mushu that honors Lunar New Year and celebrates family and friendship
- Three Asian marketplaces offering delightful foods inspired by Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, as well as a special Lunar New Year menu at Paradise Garden Grill
- Live, daily performances with authentic musicians, and an area for guests to try their hand at arts and crafts with local artisans
- A Lucky Wishing Wall, where guests may add their own wishes for a wonderful future
- Beautiful Lunar New Year décor, including ornamental lanterns and banners wishing guests a Happy Lunar New Year in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese
- New Lunar New Year merchandise inspired by different cultures of East Asia
- Special items all the way from Shanghai Disney Resort, including traditional red envelopes for gift-giving, Mickey Mouse plush, Minnie Mouse snow globes and a limited-edition pin
- Commemorative items featuring special Lunar New Year designs, including adult tees and hoodies
For a limited time, guests of the Disneyland Resort will celebrate the lively and colorful traditions of Lunar New Year, only at Disney California Adventure. Guests may check for daily entertainment schedules as they become available, at Disneyland.com/LunarNewYear.
Minnie Mouse Debuts New Uniform at 2017 Girls’ Soccer Showcase
Minnie Mouse unveiled her cool new soccer uniform on Wednesday, just in time for the 2017 Disney Girls’ Soccer Showcase presented by AS Roma taking place Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 23-26) at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
Minnie’s new look – which has a modern feminine fit – includes a purple and white horizontal striped jersey, purple shorts and a stylishly red headband, an updated twist to her customary polka dot hair bow.
Minnie will wear No. 9, which is athletically significant.
The number is normally worn by players who play the “striker” position in soccer – usually reserved for a team leader who scores most of the goals – the same number worn by two-time Olympic Gold medalist of Mia Hamm.
Minnie’s not the only one showing up to the sports complex with a new look. This year, the Disney Girls’ Soccer Showcase has some modifications, as well. The tournament, normally played in December, has been moved to late November and this year, a new age group (U11-U14 added this year) join the previously existing U15-17 age groups.
‘What I’m Thankful For’ – Disney Edition by Scott Donahue
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It’s that time of year again when I share what I’m thankful for – Disney Edition. I wanted to focus on something beyond what we all are most thankful for, such as a healthy and safe family, a good job, etc…
I wanted to write about things that I am thankful for, Disney style. Disney has created so many wonderful memories for my family I thought it would be fun to create a list. After reading my list I would like to hear your thoughts via Twitter.
I am thankful for….
- Walt Disney having the vision to create a place where families could have fun together in a safe environment
- The Walt Disney Co. continuously expanding and improving their parks, resorts, and service
- Being able to travel to Walt Disney World (and occasionally Disneyland) several times a year to get a different experience each time
- Having a wife and kids who love Disney as much as I do
- Minnie Mouse opening up her arms to greet my youngest daughter on a pathway at Animal Kingdom and giving her a HUGE hug, which is something she still remembers to this day
- The look of amazement the first time my daughters stepped foot into Magic Kingdom
- The look of joy the first time my daughters met a Princess
- The look of bewilderment on my face when Belle picked me to play Beast at “Storytime with Belle”
- The ability to have two sets of grandparents who “get” what Disney is about and love to vacation with us
- Being able to help others maximize their time during their Walt Disney World vacations
- Being able to see my daughters reaction when she finally reached the magical 48” height mark
- Blizzard Beach’s Summit Plummet helping me overcome my fear of heights
- Disney Vacation Club allowing our family to have accommodations that we otherwise might not be able to afford
- The smell of the Pop Century lobby after a 20 hour drive
- The ability to head right to your room without checking in after a 20 hour drive and arriving late in the night. (Thank you Magic Bands)
- Entering my resort room, turning on the TV, and hearing the sounds of Walt Disney World Today Channel
- The time we were able to experience riding in the front of the monorail
- My youngest daughter, who has Polycystic Kidney Disease, to be healthy enough to ride most attractions that she wants to
- Being able to “scream like a little girl” on Expedition Everest and fitting right in with everyone else
- Not looking like a fool wearing a crazy Disney hat around the parks
- Having a place where I can make a wish and truly believe it will come true
- Imagineers always wanting to “plus” an attraction
- Being old enough that my teenage daughter had already completed the Disney College Program
- Being fortunate enough to start planning another Disney trip
5 things to know about Disney-Pixar’s ‘Coco’
Take a little bit of music, a whole lot of fun and mix in a bit of drama and you’ve got the recipe for the newest Disney/Pixar film, “Coco.”
If you’re planning to take in the animated adventure with family and friends, there are some things you should know before you go.
University of Iowa Football Program Named 2017 Disney Sports Spirit Award Winner
The 2017 Disney Sports Spirit Award will be presented to the University of Iowa this year.
Disney Sports announced the selection on Nov. 20 and will present the award to the school during The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by GILDAN, which are televised live on ESPN on Dec. 7 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The Hawkeye program is a first-time recipient of the award given annually to college football’s most inspirational player, coach, team or figure. The program earned the award after launching a heart-warming tradition this season that is touching the lives of scores of young patients housed at a nearby children’s hospital.
On Sept. 2, shortly after opening the University of Iowa’s Stead Family’s Children’s Hospital that sits virtually next door to the team’s Kinnick Stadium, a new tradition was started during Hawkeye home football games.
At the end of the first quarter, the stadium announcer encourages the roughly 70,000 fans who attend every home game to stand and wave to the young patients at the children’s hospital. Word spread quickly inside the hospital, and more and more patients made their way to the hospital’s upper floors which provide an unobstructed view of the football field below.
And they started waving back.
As the season progressed, opposing players began joining the wave. Even the game’s referees have gotten in on what’s now affectionately called the “Kinnick Wave.’’ In its wake have come stories of young patients who have been moved to embrace a more hopeful outlook despite their illness.
“First and foremost, we are excited to have been selected the 2017 winner of the Disney Sports Spirit Award,” said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. “I don’t believe anyone would have imagined the wave — “The Kinnick Wave” — would have become such a universal show of support. It’s a simple way for 70,000 people to recognize the kids, the parents and hospital staff who are the real champions, fighting every day to overcome significant medical challenges. I’m proud that a kind gesture has had a profoundly positive impact on so many people in our state and the nation. We are honored and proud to be part of the Kinnick Wave.”
Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley, who will be in Atlanta to present the award to Coach Ferentz, said the “Kinnick Wave” has had a significant impact all over the state of Iowa.
“The impact these fans are having on the lives of those young patients probably can’t be fully measured,’’ said Kelley. “Waving at them is seemingly a simple gesture but the effect it’s having on those kids should be an inspiration to all of us, and that’s why we so enthusiastically chose the Iowa football program for this coveted award.’’
The Iowa football program becomes the 22nd recipient of the award, joining past honorees James Connor (2016), Hank Goff (2015), Bob Stoops and Sterling Shepard (2014), Devon Walker (2013), Nate Boyer (2012), Carson Tinker and the University of Alabama (2011), D.J. Williams (2010), Mark Herzlich (2009) and Tim Tebow (2008), among others. The award was first given in 1996 to Rossville High School’s Daniel Huffman.
Kelley will present the award during The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by GILDAN on Dec. 7, airing on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST. The show – hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler; and joined by Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi – will originate from the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in Atlanta.
Here’s How to Have Thanksgiving Dinner at Disney World and Disneyland
These Thanksgiving buffets, dining events and special menus at Walt Disney World, in Florida, and Disneyland Resorts, in California, have the perfect makings for a new annual tradition, whether or not you dine with Mickey Mouse in tow.
